Karzai admits receiving ‘bags of money’ from Iran

Afghan President Hamid Karzai admitted Monday that his chief of staff had received “bags of money” from Iran but insisted the payment was transparent and a form of aid from a friendly country.

Cash payments “are done by various friendly countries to help the president’s office … this is transparent,” Karzai told a press conference as the White House warned over Iranian influence in Afghanistan.

The New York Times reported Saturday that Karzai’s chief of staff, Umar Daudzai, received regular cash payments from Iran, a US foe and reportedly trying to expand its influence in the presidential palace in Kabul.